NT Reporter
Curchorem
In order to help realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2027, around 5,000 youth would be provided jobs through the Human Resources Development Corporation, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. He also said that under the RDA, self-help groups would be given loans of up to Rs 20 lakh at
one per cent interest.
The chief minister on Saturday said the present “double-engine” government would turn into a “triple-engine” government if the BJP won the Zilla Panchayat elections, which would help accelerate the development of rural areas in the state.
He was addressing a corner meeting at the Vaddem rehabilitation area in the Sanguem constituency while campaigning for Revona ZP BJP candidate Rajeshree Rajesh Gaonkar.
Sawant also said the BJP government’s aim is to achieve Antodaya, Gramodaya and Sarvodaya, explaining that Antodaya meant uplifting the last person in society, Gramodaya focused on the development of every village, and Sarvodaya ensured progress for all. He said that no other political party had introduced the range of welfare schemes launched by the BJP so far and said people from all sections, including housewives, girls, youth and farmers, were benefitting as different schemes catered to each group.
The chief minister said the government’s focus is to legalise houses that existed before 2014, pointing out that possession of house tax receipts did not necessarily
mean a house was legal, as such structures could still face demolition or denial of power, water or approach road connections. He said under a new Act, all such houses would be protected and legalised, bringing major relief to poor families. Sawant expressed confidence that Rajeshree Gaonkar would be elected with a record margin.
Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai said Gaonkar had reached every household in the constituency through extensive door-to-door campaigning. He expressed confidence that she would secure more votes than those polled by Suresh Kepekar in the
previous election.
Former MLA Vasudev Gaonkar said the constituency was dominated by BJP voters and recalled that he himself had been elected twice as MLA, followed by Prabhakar Gaonkar and later Subhash
Phal Dessai.
He said Rajeshree Gaonkar was efficient and experienced and deserved to be elected as a zilla panchayat member. Former NRI commissioner Adv Narendra Savoikar also expressed confidence in her victory.
Gaonkar said she was confident of winning the elections, citing wholehearted support from voters which she experienced during her door-to-door visits.
